“It really hits you how much you miss it. It really makes every player here really want to get out playing,” Jordan Staal said. “It felt like it was pretty darn loud. We haven’t heard too many fans. That was really special.”

Troy Brouwer was the player most responsible for putting the event together, which he believes had very promising attendance.

“Everyone’s kind of in different places in their lives right now,” Brouwer said. “And for everyone to kind of drop everything and come in for the weekend and do something like this, it shows that the guys really care about these charities and these foundations and the thing that we’re trying to raise money for.”

Being in front of a crowd brimming with fans again didn’t hurt, either.

You guys need to get back to the bargaining table, same as the owners. TELL FEHR TO EITHER ENGAGE IN NEGOTIATIONS OR GET THE F&@% OUT OF THE WAY.

-Stop worrying about PR. (We’re all disgusted with both sides anyway.)
-Stop acting like “it’s ALL their fault” (The NHLPA approved the cap circumventing deals they presented)
-Stop allowing pride to dictate negotiations.